2018 Transportation Bond Referendum Information

Voting Information

Dates & Locations

Vote on Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Early voting is October 17 - November 3, 2018
Voter information, including locations

2018 Transportation Bond Referendum

The Town of Cornelius will have a $24 million bond referendum for transportation improvements on the November 6, 2018 ballot. At least 7 large scale NCDOT projects are being considered to receive funding if this bond is approved.

Cornelius' Transportation Concerns

Congestion - Roadways & intersections are over-capacity, leading to high travel times and long queuing
Safety - Some roadway & intersection designs do not mitigate accidents
Bike/Pedestrian Accommodations along roadways & at intersections are either non-existent or need improvement

Cornelius Has An Opportunity To:

Improve our roads by reducing congestion (reducing travel times & reducing queuing)
Create safer intersections and safer pedestrian road crossings
Construct new sidewalks or multi-purpose paths where none exist today
Move bike facilities out of the road or in a designated bike lane

Potential Bond-Funded Projects

Streets, Intersections, and Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements

On Tuesday, November 6th, 2018, there will be a Cornelius Transportation Bond Referendum. (Early voting begins on Oct. 17th and ends Nov. 3rd) Cornelius voters will be asked to vote for the future issuance of up to $24M of bonds for streets, intersections, and bicycle & pedestrian facilities. If the referendum passes, the Town of Cornelius can apply bond funds toward improving vehicular mobility and increasing safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. Potential projects in Cornelius include road widenings, a road extension, and intersection improvements that will increase vehicular safety, reduce congestion and reduce travel time. Projects will also provide safer facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians in addition to increasing connections to existing and future greenways.

Why use Town funds for NCDOT projects?

Can literally take decades of traditional ranking for a project to receive funding from NCDOT.
The Town has accelerated these 7 projects by as much as 20 or more years by leveraging Town funds to obtain the NCDOT funds.
NCDOT does not pay for all costs associated with utilities, street lighting, Mast Arms, bike/pedestrian accommodations, landscaping.

Leveraging Town Funds

$24M Town funds leveraged against $112M total project funds (22% Town match. Every Town dollar gets us ~$4 from NCDOT)

NC 115/Potts Street/Davidson Street Intersections Improvement

(At the north end of Cornelius adjacent to Town limits with Davidson)
Leverage Town funds toward combining the existing two intersections of NC 115/Potts Street and NC 115/Davidson Street into a single intersection with a roundabout. The project will increase vehicular safety and decrease travel time at the existing intersections, in addition to constructing bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Estimated Total Project Cost: $7,525,000
Estimated Town Funds: $1,525,000
Estimated Construction Start: FY 20

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C 115 and Hickory Street Intersection Improvement

(South of Catawba Avenue and NC 115 Intersection)
Leverage Town funds toward constructing turn lanes and a traffic signal at this intersection. This project will increase vehicular safety and decrease travel time at the intersection of NC 115 and Hickory Street in addition to supporting an alternative east-west corridor to Catawba Avenue.

Estimated Total Project Cost: $1,433,250
Estimated Town Funds: $429,985
Estimated Construction Start: FY 20

Northcross Drive Extension

(Westmoreland Road to Northcross Drive, north of Whole Foods on NC73)
Leverage Town funds toward constructing a new roadway alignment by extending existing Northcross Drive to connect to Westmoreland Road. This project provides a north-south alternative to I-77, West Catawba Avenue, US 21 and Exits 28 & 25. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities will be constructed along a portion of this project.
Estimated Total Project Cost: $14,450,000
Estimated Town Funds: $6,161,577
Estimated Construction Start: FY 20

West Catawba Avenue/Torrence Chapel Road/Liverpool Parkway Intersection and Nearby Intersections Improvements

(Area immediately to the west of Exit 28)
Leverage Town funds toward constructing improvements that are part of a comprehensive plan that will increase vehicular safety and decrease travel time. Includes construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities at some project locations.
Estimated Total Project Cost: $13,275,000
Estimated Town Funds: $5,515,589
Estimated Construction Start: FY 20